I’m Karen.  I hate to cook.  I cook because I have to.  I am not a great chef, I am never going to win Master Chef or any other cooking show.  My philosophy of cooking is “If it takes me longer to make than it takes you to eat it, I’m not going to make it.”  I am however an OK cook.  I mean you won’t spit out what I serve you, but you’re not going to rave about it to anyone either.

If you’re like I used to be, then you don’t get enough fruits and vegetables in your diet.  Did you know you’re supposed to eat 7 servings?  I tried to tell myself that I got plenty of vegetables in my diet.  I ate onion rings when I got my burger and of course I always had lettuce and onions on the burger.  That counts as 2 servings, doesn’t it?  And the pizza had tomato sauce on it.  That was a serving.  If I ate 3 slices, then wasn’t that 3 servings?  I would have a pickle with my sandwich.  Another serving?  How about ketchup?  I finally reached an age when my bad eating habits caught up to me.  I had to do something but I really hated most vegetables.  I would eat some of them out of politeness when I was out to dinner with someone, but to just cook them for me - no way.  Fruits were OK, I actually like a variety of fruits, but somehow I just didn’t think about buying them at the store that often and when I did I still opted for chips as a snack instead of an apple. 

This is how I changed my diet without really trying.  I had to stay motivated when I went to the grocery store and for another 10 to 30 minutes after I put the groceries away.  But I did it!  I feel better. Some of my chronic problems have lessened like my asthma and arthritis.  I have more energy, so I get up and do things, like walk.  I’m still old. I’m still fat.  I’m still not eating as well as I should, but I’m getting there.